Name: Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American Southern
Ingredients: 6 slices applewood-smoked bacon, finely chopped; 1 cup medium-ground yellow cornmeal; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons sugar; ½ teaspoon salt; 3 teaspoons baking powder; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; 2 eggs; 1 cup buttermilk; 1 stick unsalted butter, melted; ⅓ cup honey, plus more for serving

If you love the cozy comfort of cornbread but crave a little something extra, you’re going to adore this Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe. It’s a golden, crispy-edged loaf packed with smoky applewood bacon and just the right touch of sweet honey—the perfect balance that’ll have you coming back for seconds.

A golden-brown cornbread with a slightly cracked top is baked evenly in a blue cast iron skillet. The cornbread is cut into six triangular slices, with one slice partly removed, showing a crumbly but moist inside with bits of bacon embedded. Small pieces of green onion are scattered on top for a fresh touch. The skillet sits on a white marbled surface with a light green cloth visible on the side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This skillet cornbread is hands-down one of my favorite comfort food hacks. It’s quick enough for a weeknight side but special enough to impress guests—plus that crispy, bacon-studded center? Absolutely irresistible.

Perfect Sweet & Savory Blend: Floral honey meets smoky applewood bacon for a flavor combo that sings.
Quick & Easy: Ready in just 35 minutes, making it a reliable crowd-pleaser anytime.
Cast Iron Magic: Using a skillet creates those coveted crispy edges and a tender middle.
Versatile & Customizable: Easily tweak ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you dig in, here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need and why these ingredients make this Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread incredibly delicious. When shopping, look for quality applewood-smoked bacon for that unmistakably rich smoky flavor, and choose medium-ground yellow cornmeal—it helps nail that classic texture.

Flat lay of a small mound of medium-ground yellow cornmeal, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, two whole brown eggs with clean shells, a few slices of crisp applewood-smoked bacon chopped finely, a small white bowl of golden floral honey, a small white bowl with pale buttermilk, a small white bowl with melted unsalted butter, a small white bowl containing white granulated sugar, another small white bowl with coarse salt, a tiny pile of baking powder, and a pinch of baking soda arranged symmetrically on a simple white ceramic surface, all ingredients fresh and natural, no packaging or utensils visible, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Applewood-smoked bacon: The smoky, crispy bacon pieces give both crunch and a savory punch that balances the sweetness.
Medium-ground yellow cornmeal: Provides the ideal texture—grainy but tender, with a subtle corn flavor.
All-purpose flour: Adds structure to the batter, keeping the cornbread light and fluffy.
Sugar: Just enough sweetness to complement the honey without overpowering.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness and smokiness.
Baking powder and baking soda: The leavening agents that give the cornbread its tender crumb and lift.
Eggs: Bind everything together while adding richness.
Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and reacts with the baking soda for a fluffier texture.
Unsalted butter: For that rich, buttery flavor and moist crumb.
Honey: The floral-sweet highlight that complements the bacon perfectly—plus extra to drizzle on top.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you're craving a little extra spice, a vegetarian-friendly twist, or a splash of seasonal flavor, you can adapt it to suit whatever mood strikes you.

Spicy Kick: I love adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the dry ingredients when I want that subtle warmth to balance the sweet honey and smoky bacon. It turns this classic comfort food into something a little more exciting.
Vegetarian Version: For my vegetarian friends, swapping the bacon for smoked paprika and skipping the bacon fat entirely works wonders. I use melted butter or a neutral oil to coat the skillet, and it saves the day without losing any depth of flavor.
Seasonal Touch: In fall, I sometimes fold in some diced roasted jalapeños or finely chopped green onions right before baking. It adds freshness and a mild heat, perfect for pairing with hearty stews or chili.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe

A single triangular slice of golden yellow cornbread sits on a white plate, showing a dense, moist texture with bits of browned bacon inside. There is a light amber syrup drizzled over the top, pooling slightly on the plate, and small green chopped chives scattered on both the cornbread and plate surface. A silver fork rests on the right edge of the plate. The dish is placed on a white marbled textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Warm Up Your Oven and Skillet

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. At the same time, place your 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat on the stove. This warming step is crucial—it prepares the pan to cook the bacon evenly and helps develop those coveted crisp edges in the finished cornbread.

Step 2: Crisp Up the Applewood-Smoked Bacon

Add the finely chopped bacon to your warmed skillet and cook it until it's beautifully crispy and fragrant. Keep an eye (and nose!) on it to avoid burning. Once cooked, transfer the bacon pieces to paper towels to drain excess fat, but don’t toss that rendered bacon fat! Reserve 1 tablespoon of it right in the skillet — this will add amazing flavor and help brown the cornbread later.

Step 3: Whisk Dry Ingredients Until Fluffy

In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Give it a good whisk to make sure everything is evenly distributed. This helps the cornbread rise properly and ensures each bite has just the right amount of sweetness and leavening.

Step 4: Blend the Wet Ingredients Smoothly

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and honey until the mixture is smooth and silky. The honey adds a subtle floral sweetness that complements the smoky bacon beautifully, so don’t skip it! If you don’t have buttermilk, remember you can easily substitute 1 cup of milk mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, rested for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Combine Mixtures and Fold in the Bacon

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir just until everything is moistened and combined. Be gentle—overmixing can lead to a dense cornbread rather than a tender one. Finally, fold in your crispy bacon pieces evenly. Just think about those little bursts of savory goodness in every bite!

Step 6: Coat the Skillet and Bake to Perfection

Swirl the reserved tablespoon of bacon fat around the bottom and sides of your warm cast iron skillet. This not only keeps the cornbread from sticking but also infuses it with extra smoky flavor. Pour in your batter and spread it evenly. Slide the skillet into your preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes. The cornbread will be golden on top, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

Step 7: Serve Warm with a Honey Drizzle

Once out of the oven, let the cornbread cool just a bit so it can set nicely—about 5 to 10 minutes is perfect. Then, slice it up and drizzle a little extra honey over the top. The balance of sweet honey, smoky bacon, and crisp edges is simply irresistible. Serve it alongside your favorite comfort meals, and enjoy every bite!

Top Tip

Mastering the Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe is all about balancing textures and flavors, plus using the right techniques to get that perfect golden crust and tender center. Here are some tips I’ve picked up that truly make a difference.

Use the Bacon Fat Wisely: Reserving and swirling the tablespoon of bacon fat in your cast iron before adding the batter creates those irresistible crisp edges that make this cornbread extra special.
Don't Overmix the Batter: I learned the hard way that mixing just until the ingredients come together keeps the cornbread tender instead of tough and dense.
Even Bacon Distribution: Fold the crispy bacon in gently but thoroughly, so every bite has that smoky, savory surprise without weighing down the batter.
Rest the Batter Briefly: Letting the batter sit a few minutes while the oven heats helps the cornmeal hydrate for a moist crumb, which is a small step that improves texture.

How to Serve Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe

A top view of a cooked dish in a dark blue cast iron pan sitting on a white marbled surface with a green and white checkered cloth nearby. The dish shows one thick beige-yellow layer with a creamy, slightly grainy texture making up most of the pan. Scattered on top are several small pieces of crispy reddish-brown bacon. The food fills the pan almost to the edges and looks soft and warm. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

This cornbread really shines with a simple drizzle of extra honey right after baking to enhance the sweet and smoky contrast. For an extra touch, a pat of honey butter or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right before serving adds wonderful flavor layers without overpowering the cornbread’s charm.

Side Dishes

Pair this skillet cornbread with heartySouthern-style favorites like creamy collard greens, smoky BBQ pulled pork, or a spicy chili. It also complements soups and stews beautifully—especially those with smoky or tomato-based flavors—making it a versatile side for gatherings big or small.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep longer, refrigerate it where it’ll stay moist and fresh for up to five days.

Freezing

To freeze, wrap individual slices or the whole cornbread tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep well for up to three months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat slices in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or warm gently in the microwave. For revived crisp edges, a quick pop back into a hot cast iron skillet with a dab of butter works like a charm.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular milk if I don’t have buttermilk?

Yes! You can make a quick buttermilk substitute by stirring 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into 1 cup of whole milk and letting it stand for about 10 minutes. This helps the acidity mimic buttermilk's effect in the recipe.

What type of skillet is best for this recipe?

A 10-inch cast iron skillet is ideal because it distributes heat evenly and helps develop those beloved crisp edges. However, any oven-safe skillet will work in a pinch.

Can I make this cornbread vegetarian?

Absolutely! You can omit the bacon and bacon fat, substituting with smoked paprika for that smoky flavor and using melted butter or oil instead. It will still be deliciously moist and flavorful.

How do I avoid dry or crumbly cornbread?

A key is not to overmix the batter and to use the right balance of wet ingredients like buttermilk and melted butter. Also, check the cornbread at the 22-minute mark and remove it as soon as a toothpick comes out clean—overbaking can dry it out.

Final Thoughts

The Honey Bacon Skillet Cornbread Recipe is one of those comforting classics that feels like a warm hug on a plate. With the sweet notes of honey and the smoky crunch of applewood bacon, each bite tells a story of simple ingredients brought to life with care and a little technique. Whether you're serving it up alongside a family meal or bringing it to a potluck, this cornbread is sure to turn heads and warm hearts. I hope you enjoy baking—and sharing—it as much as I do!